THE ROLE OF NGOs IN ENHANCING GIRL CHILD EDUCATION: THE CASE OF WORLD VISION INTERNATIONAL IN THE NADOWLI DISTRICT OF THE UPPER WEST REGION OF GHANA

Abstract

Since the 1970s and 80s, there has been a rapid proliferation in Ghana and particularly northern Ghana of both indigenous and international Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs). The education sector has benefitted in diverse ways from the contributions of NGOs through the provision of school infrastructure, furniture, uniforms, teaching and learning materials and staff training among others. Among these many NGOs that have operated in the field of education in Ghana has been the World Vision International. Despite the sustained efforts made by many NGOs including World Vision, there is still a gap between boys’ and girls’ access to and achievement in education. This research seeks to examine the activities and work of World Vision in enhancing access to girl child education in Nadowli District of the Upper West Region. The study sought to ascertain the specific activities WV embarked on in the district and how effective these activities have been in improving girls’ education in the area. The purposive sampling was used to select 80 respondents including head teachers, pupils, World Vision officials, G.E.S officials, SMC/PTA executives and parents. Data were collected through questionnaires, observations and interviews. The organisation has partnered with SMCs/PTAs, women’s group and the girls᾿ unit of G.E.S in the district to improve access and retention thereby reducing the dropout rate in the district through the construction of new classrooms and renovating dilapidated ones, the provision of school uniforms, desks, sponsorship and scholarships and the provision of macro credit to women groups. The researcher recommends that, with regards to making progress to actually improving the access and quality of girls’ education, There is the need to ensure that resources allocated to the sector are used for the benefit of the people. The mechanism for achieving this is to ensure effective community engagement in the policy process and promoting the concept of decentralization to the letter.